Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (22)
$294.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (43)
$314.99
Amazon
4.6 (184)
$304.99
Reverb
5.0 (29)
$119.99 New
$181.25 Used
Thomann
4.8 (215)
$229.00 $225.00 $4.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£219.99

Average Price: $240

High-end/Boutique

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Fender USA Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups set". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unleash the spirit of Texas blues with the Fender USA Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups set, a powerful trio that embodies the heart and soul of American rock and blues. These pickups are known for their overwound single-coil construction, delivering a sound that is as bold as it is iconic. With a midrange chirp that cuts through the mix, crystal-clear highs, and a tight bass response, these pickups are designed to capture the essence of the Lone Star State.

Crafted with precision, each pickup is equipped with Alnico 5 magnets and enamel-coated magnet wire, ensuring an increased output and a rich, vintage tone. The staggered pole pieces add depth and clarity, while the reverse wound/reverse polarity middle pickup provides hum-canceling capabilities in positions 2 and 4. Whether you're channeling the legendary sounds of Stevie Ray Vaughan or carving your own path, these pickups offer versatile performance for any stage or studio setting.

Perfect for neck, middle, and bridge positions, the Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups set is a must-have for guitarists who crave that authentic blues sound with a modern edge.

Key Features:

  • Set of 3 Custom Shop single-coil pickups
  • Designed for neck, middle, and bridge positions
  • Overwound for loud vintage sound with rich mids and present highs
  • Alnico 5 magnets for increased output
  • Enamel-coated magnet wire
  • Staggered pole pieces for enhanced sound clarity
  • Middle pickup with reverse wound/reverse polarity for hum canceling
  • DC resistance: Neck 5.9 K, Middle 6.5 K, Bridge 6.6 K

Product specs

Type Set: Single-coil
Active/Passive Passive
Configuration SSS Set
Magnet Material Alnico V
Number of Conductors 2 wire
DC Resistance 6.56K (bridge), 6.27K (middle). 5.94K (neck)
Connectivity Soldered
Number of Strings 6
Covering Covered
Format Strat-sized
Features Staggered Pole Pieces

FAQs

What type of music are Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups best suited for?

These pickups are ideal for blues, rock, and country music due to their increased output and midrange bite, providing a classic Stratocaster sound with enhanced clarity and dynamics.

How do Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups differ from standard Strat pickups?

They are over-wound for more output and feature Alnico V magnets, offering a distinctive midrange bite, tight bass, and crystalline highs compared to standard Strat pickups.

Are Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups easy to install?

Yes, these pickups are designed for straightforward installation with a soldered connection, fitting standard Stratocaster pickup cavities.

Do Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups have a hum-canceling feature?

No, these are single-coil pickups and do not have a hum-canceling feature, which is typical for this pickup type and contributes to their classic tone.

What is the difference in sound between the bridge, middle, and neck pickups in the Fender Custom Shop Texas Special set?

The bridge pickup offers higher output for lead tones, the middle pickup provides balanced midrange, and the neck pickup delivers warm, smooth tones, making them versatile for various playing styles.

Fender

Fender

Fender Custom Shop Texas Special™ Stratocaster® Pickups -- CLEAN | Fender

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop Texas Special™ Stratocaster® Pickups -- CLEAN | Fender by Fender

Fender Custom Shop Texas Special™ Stratocaster® Pickups -- CLEAN | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Strat Pickups by Dave'sWorld76

Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Strat Pickups

Dave'sWorld76

Dave'sWorld76

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop Texas Special™ Stratocaster® Pickups -- DIRTY | Fender by Fender

Fender Custom Shop Texas Special™ Stratocaster® Pickups -- DIRTY | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop TEXAS SPECIAL Stratocaster Pickup Set by Ardiansyah Yudasmara

Fender Custom Shop TEXAS SPECIAL Stratocaster Pickup Set

Ardiansyah Yudasmara

Ardiansyah Yudasmara

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Pickups Test (Pink Floyd Time Guitar Cover) by Youg

Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Pickups Test (Pink Floyd Time Guitar Cover)

Youg

Youg

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender USA Custom Shop Texas Special Stratocaster Pickups set.

Comparisons

  • Seymour Duncan SSL-1s and SSL-5s are recommended over Texas Specials for better handling of high gain, avoiding the "thin and shrill" tone.

    Source
  • Texas Specials are described as brighter with lower output compared to CS69s, contradicting some common descriptions.

    Source
  • Fat 50s are suggested as a middle ground between CS69s and Texas Specials, offering a balanced tone.

    Source
  • The Original 57/62 pickups are noted for their vintage sound with rounded highs and present mids, but they do not cancel hum in positions 2/4 due to their vintage design.

    Source
  • Custom 69s are praised for their gentle mids and controlled low end, making them suitable for Hendrix/Gilmour tones and good for overdrives and fuzz.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Texas Specials are noted for sounding great clean but can become noisy and shrill with high gain, particularly in punk rock settings.

    Source
  • Texas Specials are characterized by their thick lows and glassy highs, which can get aggressive, aligning them with SRV-style blues.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Texas Specials offer overwound high-output, suitable for achieving overdriven signals at lower volumes, contrasting with traditional low-output single coils.

    Source
  • Texas Specials are noted for being reverse wound in the middle position, potentially reducing hum.

    Source
  • Fat 50s provide boosted lows and mids with a twangy, bright character reminiscent of early 50s Strats, suitable for surf rock or Buddy Holly sounds.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Pairing Texas Specials with a freeway switch raises questions about the middle pickup's reverse winding and its effect on switch positions.

    Source
  • A 10-way Freeway switch enhances the tonal range of CS69 pickups, expanding their versatility.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners of both pickups often prefer CS69s for their fuller, grittier tone and better low end.

    Source
  • Owners often choose lower output pickups like the 57/62s for their vintage tone, noting that higher output pickups like Texas Specials can be challenging to tame.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jimmarchi1

eh

I was not that impressed with the texas special pickups. They are a very brassy strat set under distortion. I really don't like them thru a tubescreamer and you would think being SRV inspired they would love a TS9 or 808! For similar money you can get a much better hot-strat set from a variety of manufacturers. Texas specials don't sound bad per se, but I don't think they have the classic strat sound, nor do they have the cool early tele vibe of some 3rd party strat pickups. Unless you are slavishly devoted to putting Fender parts in your Fender guitar then you should keep searching!

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